Losing a passport in Italy is stressful, but the fix is straightforward if you follow the right order: make a police report, notify your embassy/consulate, and—if you must travel soon—request an Emergency Travel Document or a replacement passport. This guide walks you through each step, explains the documents and fees, and shows how to replace related cards (residency permit or ID) so you can keep your plans on track.
Contents
Immediate actions (first hour)
- Retrace and secure: freeze any connected services (e.g., travel wallet/insurance apps). If your passport was stolen alongside other items, secure your phone and accounts.
- Gather info: note where/when you last had the passport, any witnesses, and a list of missing items. This speeds up the report and consular assistance.
Step 1 — File a police report (denuncia)
Go to the nearest police office—Questura or a Commissariato di Polizia (or Carabinieri). Tell them you need to report a smarrimento (loss) or furto (theft) of passport. You’ll receive a written receipt (denuncia/verbale) with a protocol number. Keep multiple copies and photos on your phone; you’ll need it at your consulate and sometimes at the airport.
If you need background in English via automatic translation, you can review the institutional overview here: Polizia di Stato — Report a Theft/Loss (IT → EN). For province-level immigration matters, see our explainer Comune, Questura, Prefettura: What They Do.
Step 2 — Contact your embassy/consulate
Next, reach your country’s embassy or consulate in Italy to request a replacement passport or an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Bring your police report, any ID copy (photo of the old passport helps), passport photos (if required), and a payment method for consular fees. Many consulates use online appointments—check their website for “lost/stolen passport” procedures.
To locate your mission in Italy, start from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ English pages and then navigate to your country’s section: Farnesina — Consular Services (EN). If your embassy is in Rome but you’re elsewhere, look for a consulate in Milan, Florence, Naples, Bologna, or another major city.
Do you need to travel soon? (ETD vs. new passport)
Emergency Travel Document (ETD): best if you must travel imminently (return home or continue a trip). An ETD is typically valid for a single journey and may have routing limits. Airlines and border police accept it with your police report; carry both together.
Replacement passport: choose this if you will remain in Italy or the EU for a while. Processing times vary; some consulates can issue faster under urgent circumstances. Ask whether they can mail the passport or require in-person pickup.
Airports, trains, and ID checks with an ETD or police receipt
Italian carriers and border authorities are used to ETDs. Arrive early, keep the police report and consular letter together, and bring any secondary ID you have (driver’s license, residence card). For domestic trains, the police receipt plus a photo ID is generally sufficient to identify you to staff if asked.
If you’re a resident in Italy (permits & identity cards)
If your permesso di soggiorno (residency permit) was also lost/stolen, file a separate police report and request a replacement at the Questura (you’ll pay fees and provide photos). Follow our step-by-step guide here: How to Request or Renew a Residency Permit. If you had an Italian identity card (Carta d’Identità) and lost it too, book at your Comune for a replacement—see Applying for an Italian Identity Card.
Documents and proofs you’ll likely need
- Police report (original + copies) describing loss/theft of the passport.
- Alternative ID (if you have one): driver’s license, residence card, or photocopies/photos of the lost passport.
- Passport photos meeting your country’s standards (consulates often have booths nearby).
- Proof of travel (itinerary/booking) if you’re requesting an ETD for urgent departure.
- Consular fees (cash/card as per mission policy).
Replacing visas, stamps, and digital access
If your lost passport contained visas or entry stamps you need to prove status, ask your consulate and—if relevant—Italian authorities how to document your lawful entry for future applications. For online public services (taxes, city portals, healthcare), your access is tied to SPID on your phone rather than the passport itself; if you haven’t already, set it up here: PosteID and SPID: Digital Identity Services.
Insurance, banks, and practical follow-ups
If you have travel insurance, open a claim as soon as you have the police report; many policies cover replacement costs and extra travel. Notify your bank if stolen items included cards; request replacements and enable app-based controls. For public fees tied to replacements (e.g., permit card duplication), you can usually pay at the post office—our guide explains how: How to Pay Bills and Taxes at the Italian Post Office.
Quick FAQ
Can I fly within the EU without a passport? You’ll generally need an ETD or a replacement passport. Airlines may accept alternative documents only with police and consular paperwork—confirm before travel.
What if I find my passport later? If you already reported it and received a new document or ETD, ask your consulate and the police how to proceed. Found passports are usually invalidated once replaced.
How long does a replacement take? It depends on your nationality and consulate workload; urgent cases may be expedited with proof of travel.
Before you go (checklist)
- Make the police report and photograph it.
- Book the consulate and gather photos, ID copies, and proof of travel.
- If resident, schedule replacements for permesso and ID card as needed.
- Keep all receipts and confirmations together for airport checks and insurance.
Bottom line: report, contact your consulate, and choose ETD or replacement passport based on your travel date. With the right papers in hand—and backups on your phone—you’ll be through checkpoints with minimal friction.
